Taxpayer group announces legal action on bag ban

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A group of Toronto taxpayers have announced they plan to take legal action over the city’s plastic bag ban.

"The Toronto Taxpayers Coalition is planning to go ahead with legal action against the city over the bag ban bylaw," Toronto Taxpayers Coalition President Matthew McGuire said in a release Thursday afternoon. "We're watching city council to see the outcome of their decision on the matter later this month."

Yesterday Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, who chairs the city’s Public Works Committee, suggested private parties should sue the city over the bylaw.

Speaking to CP24’s Stephen LeDrew Thursday, Minnan-Wong said the manner in which the bylaw was passed leaves it vulnerable to challenges.

“There was no consultation on this item,” he said. “There was no staff report. I think it’s exceedingly open to a legal challenge. “

He added that both the plastics industry and the convenience store association have sent letters to the city indicating that they plan on going to court over the issue.

“I think there’s a really important principal that we have to fight for -- that’s making decisions without discussing it with the people,” Minnan-Wong said. “This decision was made on the fly and out of the blue.”

In the release Thursday, McGuire said the ban would not decrease the amount of plastic going into circulation and would cost consumers more.

“This decision is about increasing the cost of living to residents of this city, hitting the lowest income earners the hardest," McGuire said.

Council narrowly voted in favour of the bag ban last June.

It is set to go into effect Jan. 1.

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